United Nations Radio

The UN Security Council has welcomed the progress made in establishing the International Tribunal for Lebanon, tasked with prosecuting the assassins of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and of those who died alongside him.

The UN's head of Legal Affairs, Nicolas Michel (photo) told the Council that a building has been secured for the Tribunal near The Hague in the Netherlands and a prosecutor and registrar have been appointed. The Tribunal already has initial funds of over 60 million dollars in pledges and contributions that would allow it to operate for a year. Mr. Michel, speaking to reporters emphasized that in establishing the Tribunal the UN is acting in accordance with the request of the Lebanese government, which was endorsed by all parties in the Lebanese national dialogue.

"Our mandate and our objective is to establish a purely independent judicial body, which aims at establishing the truth that all Lebanese people want to know and helping in ending impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon."

Nicholas Michel said the Tribunal would begin functioning in phases, at a time that would depend on the progress of the work of the Investigation Commission.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.